Social Worker

SOCIAL WORKER VACANCY

Verulam Child & Family Welfare Society invites suitably qualified, compassionate and committed candidates to apply for the position of Social Worker at its offices in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal.

This opportunity is suited to a registered social work professional who is passionate about child protection, family preservation and community well-being. The successful candidate will provide professional social work services to children and families, manage cases responsibly and help ensure that vulnerable members of the community receive appropriate care, protection and support.

ABOUT VERULAM CHILD & FAMILY WELFARE SOCIETY

Verulam Child & Family Welfare Society is a nonprofit welfare organisation that has served children, families and communities since 1933.

Based in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal, the Society works to safeguard vulnerable children, strengthen families and promote healthier, safer communities. Its services are focused on responding to the social, emotional and practical challenges affecting children and their caregivers.

The organisation’s work includes child-protection services, family support, psychosocial assessments, counselling, statutory intervention, case management, home visits and referrals to appropriate resources and service providers.

By joining Verulam Child & Family Welfare Society, the successful candidate will become part of a team committed to making a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of children, families and the wider community.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The primary purpose of this role is to provide professional social work services to children and families who require protection, counselling, intervention, guidance or access to additional support.

The Social Worker will assess the circumstances and needs of clients, identify risks affecting children and families, develop appropriate intervention plans and manage cases from initial assessment through to follow-up.

The role requires regular interaction with children, parents, caregivers, families and other relevant stakeholders. The successful candidate must be able to approach sensitive matters with compassion, professionalism, sound judgement and respect for confidentiality.

This position also carries an important responsibility for maintaining accurate case records and preparing professional reports that clearly document assessments, interventions, referrals, progress and outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assessments and home visits

• Conduct comprehensive social work assessments involving children, parents, caregivers and families.
• Identify the social, emotional, environmental and practical factors affecting the well-being of clients.
• Undertake home visits to assess family circumstances, living conditions and the safety and welfare of children.
• Identify potential risks, protection concerns and urgent support needs.
• Gather and document relevant information required to inform professional interventions.
• Apply sound professional judgement when determining the level and nature of intervention required.
• Conduct follow-up visits and assessments to monitor progress and changing circumstances.

2. Case management

• Manage an assigned caseload in an organised, responsible and professional manner.
• Develop appropriate intervention and support plans based on the needs of each child and family.
• Ensure that cases receive consistent follow-up and that agreed actions are implemented.
• Review cases regularly and adjust intervention plans when circumstances change.
• Maintain clear communication with clients throughout the intervention process.
• Prioritise urgent and high-risk matters appropriately.
• Work within professional boundaries while building constructive relationships with clients.
• Ensure continuity of support through proper planning, documentation, monitoring and referral.

3. Counselling and psychosocial support

• Provide individual and family counselling within the scope of professional social work practice.
• Support children and families experiencing distress, conflict, instability or other difficult circumstances.
• Help clients identify challenges, strengths, support systems and practical ways forward.
• Provide guidance to parents and caregivers where appropriate.
• Offer sensitive, non-judgemental and culturally respectful support.
• Encourage constructive family relationships and positive coping strategies.
• Assist clients in understanding and accessing available welfare and community services.

4. Statutory child-protection services

• Deliver statutory child-protection services in line with applicable professional standards and requirements.
• Identify and respond appropriately to concerns relating to the safety and well-being of children.
• Take the necessary professional steps when a child may be vulnerable, at risk or in need of protection.
• Ensure that interventions are guided by the best interests of the child.
• Prepare the assessments, records and professional reports required for statutory matters.
• Monitor child-protection cases and provide appropriate follow-up services.
• Work with families and relevant stakeholders to support safe, stable and suitable care arrangements.
• Maintain professionalism and objectivity when dealing with complex or sensitive cases.

5. Family support and referrals

• Identify the support required by children, parents, caregivers and families.
• Provide practical guidance and assistance based on each family’s circumstances.
• Refer clients to suitable professionals, organisations, public services and community resources where additional or specialised support is needed.
• Follow up on referrals when appropriate to support continuity of care.
• Help families understand available services and the steps required to access them.
• Build effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders involved in supporting children and families.
• Promote family strengthening and early intervention wherever appropriate.

6. Professional reports and record-keeping

• Prepare clear, accurate and professional reports relating to assessments, interventions and case progress.
• Maintain complete and up-to-date client and case records.
• Record home visits, counselling sessions, referrals, follow-up activities and relevant outcomes.
• Ensure that documentation is completed timeously and stored appropriately.
• Handle personal and sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality.
• Use digital tools and office software for record-keeping, communication, scheduling and report preparation.
• Ensure that all records meet organisational and professional requirements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
• Current registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP).
• A valid driver’s licence.
• Computer literacy.
• Sound knowledge of child protection.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong professional report-writing skills.

Applicants must be able to provide professional services within the ethical and regulatory standards applicable to registered social workers.

KNOWLEDGE AND PROFESSIONAL CAPABILITIES

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

• Knowledge of child-protection principles and social work practice.
• The ability to conduct thorough psychosocial assessments.
• The ability to recognise risk factors affecting children and families.
• Competence in case management, counselling and family support.
• The ability to conduct professional home visits and document relevant observations.
• An understanding of confidentiality, professional ethics and appropriate boundaries.
• The ability to prepare accurate, structured and professional reports.
• Confidence in using computers and basic office software.
• The ability to manage information and records carefully.
• The ability to make referrals and engage appropriately with relevant stakeholders.
• Sound judgement when working with sensitive, urgent or complex matters.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

The ideal candidate will be:

• Compassionate and empathetic.
• Committed to protecting children and supporting families.
• Professional, ethical and dependable.
• Respectful of confidentiality.
• Patient and non-judgemental.
• Culturally sensitive and able to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• A clear and effective communicator.
• Organised and attentive to detail.
• Able to manage a caseload and competing responsibilities.
• Able to respond appropriately to urgent needs.
• Comfortable working directly with children, families and community members.
• Capable of remaining calm and professional in challenging circumstances.
• Able to work responsibly both independently and as part of a team.
• Committed to accurate documentation and timely follow-up.
• Focused on achieving positive and sustainable outcomes for clients.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

Social workers play a vital role in protecting vulnerable children, supporting families through difficult circumstances and connecting people with the services they need.

This position provides an opportunity to contribute directly to the well-being of children and families in Verulam. Through assessments, home visits, counselling, child-protection services, referrals and ongoing case management, the successful candidate will help individuals and families navigate challenges and work towards safer and more stable circumstances.

The role requires both compassion and professional discipline. Every assessment, intervention, referral and report contributes to the organisation’s ability to respond effectively to the needs of the community.

APPLICATION DETAILS

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Please ensure that your application clearly reflects your:

• Social Work qualification;
• Current SACSSP registration;
• Valid driver’s licence;
• Child-protection knowledge;
• Computer literacy; and
• Communication and report-writing capabilities.

Join our team and help us support, strengthen and protect children, families and communities.